Little did the 11-year old know, when her family piled in the car, she was headed for the birthday surprise of a lifetime.

Bouldercombe schoolgirl gets a surprise in front of a packed Pilbeam Theatre audience.

Olivia Dobson with Fanny Lumsden at the Pilbeam Theatre

Young Olivia had no idea there was a birthday surprise in store for her last Tuesday when the family piled in the car and headed for Rockhampton.

Even when she reached the Pilbeam Theatre, the 11 year old from Bouldercombe didn’t know a family friend would appear on stage.

Olivia’s Mum, who moved to the region from the Snowy Mountains, lived next door to the Katoomba property on which Edwina aka Fanny Lumsden writes and records her award-winning music.

Fanny Lumsden and the Prawn Boys were the support act for Paul Kelly when they played to a sold-out audience in Rockhampton last week.

Ms Lumsden began the show calling out for Olivia and wishing her a happy birthday.

Olivia, who spends her spare time mustering on the family’s 4 Mile Farm, said she nearly cried at catching up unexpectedly with the family friend, and she loved the concert.